Critique Style Requested: Standard
The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.
Description
This was taken while on a canoe trip in Algonquin Park, Ontario. Beyond that, I’d rather not say much more.
Specific Feedback
I don’t want to go into the back story or say too much about this photograph except that I wanted it to have a dreamlike, surreal quality. It is very much a “story” picture, but I don’t want my version of it to get in the way of yours. That being said, I would love to hear what stories come to mind for you or what feelings are evoked when you read this image.
Technical Details
Critique Template
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- Vision and Purpose:
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- Technical:
Kerry,
My eye was immediately drawn to the waterfall and the shimmering water near it. The floating person took me by surprise as I was not expecting it. Then it made me wonder why in the world is the person just floating there? Gives me a somewhat uneasy feeling. Almost like my looking is invading on this person’s privacy.
2 Likes
This image is so cool. Works great in Black and White. Great contrast !!!
1 Like
My initial reaction was similar to Youssef’s, Kerry. I immediately saw the waterfall then the person and to my eye the person looks like it could be a corpse, which is a bit of a creepy feeling and doesn’t at all fit your title.
1 Like
@Youssef_Ismail , @Dennis_Plank - thanks for your response, which reminds me why I was reluctant to give this a title or a priori indication of my relationship to this image. If you look above you will see that I have removed the title altogether. This is a dark image and, for me vaguely unsettling and “weird” in the way, for example, of Fellini’s surreal imagery. For me, this image is an attempt to explore the human psyche by way of surreal and archetypal imagery and is starting to get at where I’d really like to go with my photography.
@Gill_Vanderlip - thanks Gil. I would be most interested if you could share with me what it is about this picture that, for you, is cool. Inquiring minds want to know 
First thought - death. The figure appears older and his expression is rather blank. The legs are not all there. He’s being washed away.
2 Likes
I like the contrast and the simplicity of your image. It’s a different vibe and original image.
1 Like
Is that Alfred Hitchcock on his way to the other side?
Creepy, but really well crafted!
1 Like
@Gill_Vanderlip - Thanks for elucidating, Gil. This image does have a different vibe, certainly for me, and I’m glad you appreciated it as well.
@Bonnie_Lampley - interesting that, regarding this image, your thoughts are of death. In fact, the three of us who were on this canoe trip together, had all, including myself, contracted Covid. We were pretty sick when we trekked into this canyon. Swimming in the pool was both feeling like death warmed over and, the same time, a healing .
@Jim_Erhardt - “Good evening”. Personally, I’m thinking more Fellini than Hitch, but no need to be picky! Thanks for taking a look and the time to respond.
